CAIRO (AFP) - The head of Egypt's Coptic Church, Pope Shenuda III, was to be flown to the United States on Tuesday for urgent medical treatment after breaking his leg, an aide told AFP.

The 84-year-old patriarch suffered a fall on Monday evening and spent the whole night without medical attention to a broken femur, said Tharwat Bassily of the Coptic Orthodox Lay Council which manages the church's affairs.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak provided Pope Shenuda with the use of his presidential jet so that he could be flown for treatment in Cleveland, Ohio as swiftly as possible, he added.

"The patriarch slipped on a carpet in his home and fell, breaking his thigh-bone," Bassily said. "He was unable to reach the telephone so he remained on the floor from 10 pm to 6 am.

"He was taken to the Al-Salam Hospital (in Cairo) for tests, but was not given treatment as he is to be flown to Cleveland."

The patriarch suffers from back and kidney problems and has made repeated trips abroad for medical tests or treatment, most recently in Cleveland in May.

Bishop Angaelos, who is in Cairo, spoke with Abba Seraphim last night. It appears that President Mubarek has made available for His Holiness' use a special hospital plane as the Pope needs to be recumbent.

Although the sub committees of the Holy Synod have been meeting this week, the scheduled plenary session on 14 June has been postponed. Abba Seraphim has cancelled his flight and will not now be travelling to Cairo.